Connecticut High School Gets 1 Megawatt Solar Power Carport – CleanTechnica

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Last Updated on: 21st August 2025, 10:30 am

Confession time for a non-Catholic: these are some of my favorite news stories. Schools that get their own solar power reduce their electricity costs and avoid carbon emissions. They also set an example to their students, who are the future of humanity, in two ways. First, they are reducing their reliance on fossil fuels, and secondly, they are choosing clean, renewable electricity. In particular, solar power carports make sense because they generate electricity from a free source of power, sunlight, and they provide shade in summer. They also provide some protection from rain, sleet, hail, high winds, and snow.

Ridgefield High School in Ridgefield, Connecticut, just had a new solar carport installed. It was the product of a joint collaboration between Davis Hill Development and the Connecticut Green Bank. Micah Brill, Vice President of Asset Management at Davis Hill Development, answered some questions about the project.

What is the solar carport’s capacity?

The Ridgefield High School solar carport has a capacity of 1,038 kW (1 MW).

What was the project cost? 

While we don’t typically share project-specific financial details, a standard solar carport installation averages about $4 per watt. Based on that benchmark, this system represents an investment of roughly $4 million.

How many jobs were created during the installation process? 

The project supported work for both local electrical contractors and national carport manufacturers, helping create and sustain jobs across the supply chain. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar sector is one of the fastest-growing sources of new U.S. jobs, employing more than 260,000 workers nationwide — a trend this project directly contributes to.

How long will the solar carport generate electricity, in years? 

The system is backed by a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Ridgefield, ensuring decades of reliable clean energy. In practice, the panels and associated equipment are designed for a useful life of over 30 years, meaning the solar carport will keep generating electricity well beyond the contract period.

Who will maintain it?

The project is operated by a subsidiary of Skyview Ventures, which has an asset management team responsible for ongoing operations and maintenance.

What is Ridgefield’s solar leadership?

Ridgefield has been a sustainability leader for nearly a decade. In addition to this new carport, the Town has installed rooftop solar across eight other schools and municipal buildings, reflecting a long-standing commitment to clean energy and fiscal responsibility.

What will the solar array’s electricity be used for?

The electricity will directly serve Ridgefield High School and is uniquely integrated into four separate Town- and School-owned meters. This ensures optimal on-site solar use while also participating in Connecticut incentive programs like NRES, ZRECs, and Class I RECs.

How much carbon emissions will be avoided by using solar power?

By using solar power, we’ll avoid an estimated 700,000 pounds of carbon emissions every year.

That’s the climate equivalent of:

• The annual electricity use of more than 66 single-family homes, or
• Not burning the oil from 737 barrels.

These figures are based on the EPA’s Power Profiler and Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator, which help translate emissions reductions into tangible, everyday comparisons.